Game with rotating pointer

ABSTRACT

A game wherein players move their game pieces across two pathways and try to move their player mover onto a movable target mover while avoiding the aim of a rotating pointer. Moreover, the game may be portable. In some cases, the game apparatus may be carried in a plastic case that resembles a hard-backed book. The game components may be based on an individual chapter from a published children&#39;s book or novel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/286,367, filed Nov. 1, 2002, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/340,007 entitled “Book Based Games,” filed Nov. 1, 2001. The aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to board games, and more specifically to board games that resemble a book when closed, and resemble a children's playset when open. The invention also includes various rules and apparatus for playing a board game, including games having differently configured room-like portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Examples of board games that resemble a book are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,221,267, 3,880,429, 4,712,673, 4,781,384, 5,356,155, 5,961,149, and 6,203,017, and examples of board games that include multiple levels or room-like portions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,767,201, 3,804,416, 4,333,654, 4,534,565, 5,195,750, 5,443,268, 5,678,819 and 6,170,825, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes portable games carried in a plastic case that resembles a hard-backed book. Opening the book unfolds the game board. Various embodiments may be based on an individual chapter from a published children's book or novel.

Preferably, the housing and game board double as a playset, for use with detailed figures and environments.

The present invention further includes rules and apparatus for playing a board game in which players try to penalize their opponents by rotating and aiming a pointer at their opponents' player movers before moving to a second game board.

The advantages of the present invention will be understood more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the game of the present invention, including a housing, multiple chambered playing surface, and playing pieces.

FIG. 2 depicts the housing of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a partially-exploded view of the game of FIG. 1, showing how various game pieces may be assembled.

FIG. 4 shows a pair of dice, including a numbered die and a custom die with numbers and pictures, suitable for use with the game of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a game played by at least two players involving strategy and chance. As will be understood, game 510 may incorporate elements from a particular theme or popular cultural phenomenon, such as a book or movie. In such a case, the elements of game 510 may include depictions, shapes, and colors that reflect or exemplify this theme or phenomenon. In particular, game 510 may be based on a particular portion of popular media, such as a chapter of a book or novel.

An exemplary embodiment of game 510 is shown in FIG. 1. Typically, game 510 includes a housing 512 having an inner surface 514 and an outer surface 516. Located on inner surface 514 are a first game board 518 and a second game board 520, player movers 522, and a target mover 524.

First game board 518 includes a first pathway 526 including a first plurality of spaces 528 on which the player movers 522 may be placed. Located on first pathway 526 is a pointer 530, which is typically rotatably connected to game board 518. In some embodiments, pointer 530 may be placed in an approximate geometric center of game board 518, as shown. However, it should be appreciated that pointer 530 may be placed in different locations on game board 518, as desired. First game board 518 may further include a plurality of movable blockades 532, which may be placed at various locations 546 on game board 518, in a manner described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, game board 518 may resemble a spider web, rotating pointer 530 may resemble a giant spider and movable blockades 532 may resemble smaller spiders.

First game board 518 may be affixed to supporting structure 534, which is adapted to raise game board 518 above inner surface 514 of housing 512. In some embodiments, supporting structure 534 may resemble tree trunks.

Second game board 520 includes a second pathway 536 including a second plurality of spaces 538 on which the player movers 522 and target mover 524 may be placed. In some embodiments, second game board 520 may resemble a mud path and target mover 524 may resemble a car. While not depicted in the figures, it should be appreciated that game board 520 may also include supporting structure such that it may be raised above and/or spaced apart from housing 512.

As stated above, game 510 may be based on a particular piece of popular media such as a book or more. More particularly, game 510 may be based on a portion of the popular media piece such as a book chapter. In such a case, it may be desirable for game 510 to also be used as a play set. As a play set, game 510 may include play items based on those items and situations described in the book or other form of popular media. Furthermore, game 510 may include additional decorative items that are not used in game play according to the rules of the game. In addition, some or all of the items used in game play may be suitable for use as part of the play set.

As stated above, game 510 may further include a housing 512 having an inner surface 514 and an outer surface 516. Typically, housing 512 is adapted to move from an open position, as shown in FIG. 1 to a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2. Generally, game boards 518 and 520 are accessible for play when the housing is in the open position. The housing may resemble a book when in the closed position. Furthermore, the housing may be adapted to contain all of the playing components including the playing pieces and any decorative items not used in game play when in the closed position.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides rules for using the above-described apparatus wherein players move their player movers across game boards 518 and 520 and attempt to reach target mover 524. Typically, the player movers first travel along first pathway 526, taking turns moving their player movers and rotating pointer 530. According to the rules of the game, when pointer 530 is aimed at a player mover traveling on first pathway 526, the player controlling the player mover is penalized. In some cases, the penalty may be returning the player mover to start space 548 at the beginning of first pathway 526.

Once a player mover has successfully traversed game board 518 by reaching space 558 at the end of first pathway 526, the player mover is transferred to a starting space 560 on game board 520, for example by moving along intermediate spaces 550 (FIG. 3). Player movers then travel second pathway 536 by moving on spaces 538 (FIG. 1), taking turns moving their player movers and the target mover. The first player to move his or her player mover onto the space occupied by the target mover wins the game.

As stated above, the game may be based on a well-known popular culture phenomenon, such as a book or movie. Accordingly, the example below is based on the popular children's book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J. K. Rowlings. Accordingly, an example of a set of rules for a game constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention follows:

EXAMPLE I

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ™ ARAGOG Chapter Game CONTENTS 1 Mini Game Book (Housing 512) 4 Tree Trunk Web-Supports (534) 1 Web Maze (first game board 518) 1 Forest Background Piece (544) 1 Harry Potter Player Mover (522a) 1 Flying Car Target Mover (524) 1 Ron Weasley Player Mover (522b) 1 Six-Sided Custom Die (The Object Die) (542) 1 Spinning Giant Spider (Aragog) 1 Six-Sided Numbered Die (540) (530) 4 Small Spiders (moveable blockades 1 Label Sheet 532)

SET UP

-   -   1. Unfold the housing 512.     -   2. Apply labels to Web Maze 518 in order to indicate the start         space 548 and the numbered spaces 546 on which the small spiders         may be placed.     -   3. Using the 4 Tree Trunk Web-supports, place the Web Maze so as         to attach the Web Maze to the housing via the tree trunk web         supports.     -   4. Attach Aragog (the Spinning Giant Spider) 530 firmly to the         center of the Web Maze 518.     -   5. Roll the numbered die 540 for each small spider 532 and place         the spider on the space 546 including the corresponding numbered         graphic (not shown) in the first pathway 526 on the Web Maze         518. If two spiders are placed on the same number, remove one         spider. That spider will not be used for this game.     -   6. Place the Forest Background Piece 544 along the Mud Path         (second game board) 520.     -   7. Place the Flying Car Target Mover 524 on the second pathway         536 on the Mud Path 520.     -   8. Each player rolls the numbered die 540. Highest roll plays         with the Harry Potter Player Mover 522 a.     -   9. Each player places his or her Player Mover at the beginning         of the first pathway 526 in the start position 548.

OBJECT

Successfully navigate your Mover through the Web Maze, avoiding Aragog and his family and be the first player to escape in the Flying Car.

THE DICE

This game contains two dice. One of the dice is an ordinary six-sided numbered die 540 (FIG. 4). The second die (the Object Die 542) has pictures and numbers—pictures of a car and pictures of a spider, each picture labeled with a 1, 2, or 3. When the spider appears on a roll, you rotate Aragog 530 the number of web sectors 552 indicated by the die. When the car appears, you move the Flying Car Target Mover the number of spaces 538 indicated by the Object Die 542.

LET'S PLAY

The player with the Harry Potter Player Mover (522 a) goes first.

NAVIGATING THE WEB MAZE

-   -   1. On your turn, roll both dice. Depending on what you roll on         the Object Die, the following will occur:         -   If you roll the car symbol on the Object Die, move the             Flying Car Target Mover clockwise along the second pathway             536 on the Mud Path the number of spaces the Object Die             indicates.         -   When you roll the spider symbol on the Object Die, you get             to rotate Aragog clockwise or counter-clockwise the number             of sectors indicated on the die (there are a total of 8             sectors 552 on the web maze). If Aragog points toward either             of the Player Movers after he stops spinning, that Player             Mover is placed back on the starting space 548 of the Web             Maze.     -   2. Once the results of the Object Die have been resolved, you         may then move your Player Mover the number of spaces indicated         on the numbered die. While in the Web Maze, you can move your         Player Mover in either direction along the first pathway 526,         but you cannot pass through the members of Aragog's family (the         small spiders, or moveable blockades, 532). If you end your move         with your Player Mover on a space that Aragog is facing (or         pointing toward), you must return your Player Mover to starting         space 548 of the Web Maze.     -   3. Player Movers may not cross the purple lines (i.e. regions         556) on the Web Maze—these lines are barriers that your Player         Mover must travel around, by moving along one of the paths         formed by the interconnected spaces 528.     -   4. The two Player Movers cannot share the same space. If your         Player Mover lands on a space already occupied by your         opponent's Player Mover, move your Player Mover to the next         available space.     -   5. Once a Player Mover has left the Web Maze 518 and reached the         Mud Path 520, Aragog CANNOT send it back to the beginning of the         Web Maze.

THE MUD PATH

1. While on second pathway 536, you must always move your Player Mover in a counter-clockwise direction (see dashed arrows, FIG. 1). The Flying Car Target Mover 524 will be traveling in the opposite direction, moving clockwise around the second pathway 536 on the Mud Path.

-   -   2. The first player to move his or her Player Mover by exact         count onto a space that is occupied by the Flying Car Target         Mover 524 wins the game. If the Flying Car Mover moves to a         space occupied by a Player Mover by exact count, that player         wins.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed in this or a related application. Such claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to any original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure. 

1. A method of game play, comprising: providing a plurality of player movers, a first game board, and a second game board, the first game board including a rotatable pointer and a first plurality of spaces forming a first pathway between a first start space and a first end space, the first plurality of spaces arranged into identifiably distinct groups, each group including at least two of the first plurality of spaces, the groups being arranged for individual indication by the rotatable pointer, and the second game board including a second plurality of spaces arranged to form a second pathway between a second start space and a second end space, wherein the second start space identifiably corresponds with the first end space; moving a player mover from a first space on the first game board to a second space on the first game board; using the rotatable pointer to indicate an individual group; moving a player mover occupying a space in the indicated group to a predetermined space on the first game board; and moving a player mover occupying the first end space to the second start space.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined space is the first start space.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein a pathway of at least one space leads from the first end space to the second start space.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a target mover and a randomizing device operable to produce a result indicating one or more of pointer rotation indicia and target mover movement indicia; operating the randomizing device; and performing one or more of rotating the rotatable pointer and moving the target mover on the second pathway, according to the result of the operation.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: providing a second randomizing device operable to produce a result indicating player mover movement indicia; and operating the second randomizing device; wherein moving a player mover from a first space on the first game board to a second space on the first game board is performed according to the result of the operation of the second randomizing device.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising, prior to operating the randomizing device, placing the target mover on a predetermined space on the second pathway.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a plurality of blockade movers; and separately placing a quantity of blockade movers on a corresponding quantity of predetermined spaces on the first pathway.
 8. A game apparatus comprising a plurality of player movers; a target mover; a plurality of blockade movers; a first game board including: a rotatable pointer; and a first plurality of spaces forming a first pathway between a first start space and a first end space, the first plurality of spaces arranged into identifiably distinct groups, each group including at least two of the first plurality of spaces, the groups being arranged for individual indication by the rotatable pointer, and wherein at least some of the first plurality of spaces include blockade mover indicia; a second game board including a second plurality of spaces arranged to form a second pathway between a second start space and a second end space, wherein the second start space identifiably corresponds with the first end space, and wherein one of the second plurality of spaces includes target mover indicia; a first randomizing device operable to produce a result indicating one or more of pointer rotation indicia and target mover movement indicia; and a second randomizing device operable to produce a result indicating player mover movement indicia.
 9. The game of claim 10 further including a housing that is movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein the housing provides a planar surface to which the second game board may be affixed when the housing is in the open position.
 10. The game of claim 11 wherein the first game board includes supporting structure connected to the housing such that the first game board is mounted above a portion of the planar surface.
 11. The game of claim 10 wherein the housing resembles a closed book when the housing is in the closed position. 